My name is Dave Stancliff. Walk down the road of life with me each day. You'll find news and my views. I'm a veteran, an independent thinker, and a former newspaper publisher and editor.
This blog is not about making money. It's a forum to share with. All views expressed are mine, unless I note otherwise.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

5 Great Breweries Where I live in Medford, Oregon

Good Day World!

I’m going to brag a little by sharing the great Brew Scene in Medford, Oregon, where I live.

No matter what time of the year you can find some tasty craft beer here!

• APOCALYPSE BREWING COMPANY, 545 Rossanley Drive, was established Sept. 15, 2012, in a roll-up garage door warehouse space, with metal sheeting walls and a concrete bar. Co-owners Nick and Erin Ellis and Dennis Poncia believe in "big beers that are approachable but with the character necessary to challenge the mundane." Operating on a half-barrel system, the brewers are targeting a production level of six barrels a month. They strive to offer five regular beer selections on tap, one rotating specialty tap and one guest tap. The brewery's regular beers are: The Tunguska Event (cream-style ale); Blast Radius (American pale ale); Fallow Fields (American brown ale); The Sixth Seal (Northwest pale ale); Devastated Sky (American stout). Specialty beers are continually under experimentation. The current pour is River Runs Red. The tap house is open Thursday and Friday 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fans can join a Survivors Corps membership program. For more, 541-210-8550, http://apocalypsebrewing.com.

• BEERWORKS, 323 E. Main St., is a specialty bottle shop and pub with more than 450 beers that can be bought to take home or to enjoy on site. It has six beers on tap as well and kegs for sale and hosts weekly beer tastings. Owner Chris Dennett opened the place in July 2011. It's open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more, 541-770-9100

• SOUTHERN OREGON BREWING COMPANY, 1922 United Way, opened in fall 2007 by Medford anesthesiologist — and beer lover — Tom Hammond, to "make amazing beer." Head brewer Scott Saulsbury makes three year-round beers: Nice Rack IPA, Na Zdravi Pilsener and Pin-up Porter. His seasonal beers are Black Heart Imperial Stout, Holy Water Maibock Big Rack Imperial IPA and Old Humbug winter Ale. The beers are sold on tap and in 22-ounce bottles. Come April, 16-ounce cans also will be available. The tap room is open Monday through Saturday 3 to 9 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6. Free brewery tours are available Saturdays at 4 p.m. Private food vendors have food trucks on site Tuesday through Saturday. For more, 541-776-9898, www.sobrewing.com.

• WALKABOUT BREWING COMPANY TAP ROOM, 921 Mason Way, opened in Medford in July 2012, though owner and brewer Ross Litton founded the microbrewery in 1997 in Central Point. His aim was to produce beers in the Northwest style with ingredients grown in Oregon and Washington. Walkabout's regular beers are Worker's Pale Ale, Jabberwocky Strong Ale, Wallaby White, Redback IPA, Aussie Amber and ESB., Its seasonal beers are Point the Bone IPA (Halloween), Crocktoberfest (fall), and St. Outback Stout (winter). The tap room is open Monday through Friday 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The tasting room does not make food, but patrons are welcome to bring their own. For more, 541-734-4677 (tap house) or 541- 664-7763 (brewery).